The Insider, Frictive, Defective & Coated Glass

 

Poly-Skrub

  

 Poly-Skrub an IGSA Product Line

The very first of this product line, and the first IGSA product, is a dry plastic powder.  It was developed exclusively for hard metallic coatings such as TiO2, frictive glass surfaces, and defective glass surfaces.  The idea behind its creation was to locate a plastic particle that was small enough, had the correct shape, and was softer than glass and low e, and antireflective coatings.  The purpose is to be able to remove paint and other debris from such problematic surfaces without leaving scratches.  So it is NOT intended to use on every window.  In order to increase the effectiveness of these products I am currently tesing Poly-Skrub with different solvents.  Some of these solvents are on the market.  The idea here again is to not scratch glass.  When you join the best of both worlds (solvents and soft but course abrasives) you end up with custom products that are much more effective at removing paint, wood stain, etc., without creating scratches on frictive, defective, or coated glass.  I have demonstrated here in this video how effective Poly-Skrub 1 is at removing paint using only soapy water.  By using a soft cotton cloth only, soapy water does not even budge the paint.  You can see here how it doesn't even come off the glass just a little.  Which would show up as a very slight red color.  But using the same effort, the same time, the same cloth, the same soapy water, but a buff of PS it is quite possible to scrub off the paint.  Can you imagine how much easier it would be if you were to add the correct solvent?  That is the direction that I am going with this.  My future videos featuring the Poly-Skrub Product Line will demonstrate the effectiveness of adding specific organic acids and organic solvents.  Also I will be looking at different ways of building compounds based on these abrasive powders, and affixing them to scrubbing pads that can be attached to our poles for high windows.  This will dramatically reduce the amount of powder needed for the job.  Which will also allow us to use much higher "tech grades" of plastics.  These Glass Smart Products will NOT be sold in high volume amounts by IGSA.  Simply because they are specialty products.

I have written many posts on the science of particles.  But have focused mostly on cerium oxide, aluminumoxide, silican carbide, silicas, and others.  Not plastic particles.  But the truth is that plastic particles will likely prove to be a large part of the answer we are looking for when working on "Scratch Sensitive" window surfaces.  When searching for a specific plastic particle/powder I am looking at hardness (glass and low e surfaces are rated 7 Mohs), particle size, particle size distribution (PSD) curve, chemistry (for solvency resistance), and morphology (is the particle round, oblong, cubic, or amorphous?).  All of these properties will affect the overall performance of the product.  Lets take size as an example.  Very small particles will not chew through paint very well at all.  But they are very effective at eating up almost invisible thin residues of cured silicone caulk or concrete sealant.  Very large particles are rather effective at removing globs of silicone caulk and even shot gun fungi.  The only real way to know what works best on what is to do the test.

Particle science will always play a very large part of the Glass Smart Products that IGSA brings to market.  What is also going to be very exciting about these products is that the affiliate members of IGSA will be able to assist in developing these products as IGSA beta testers.  If you would like to purchase any of these products and get your name and email on the IGSA mailing list just send it to glasssmart@protonmail.com  IGSA (The International Glass Smart Association) has been initiated for the purpose of developing and selling specialty products for non-routine window cleaning.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

The Insider, "The Hydroxide Ion"

 

The Insider "An Interview with Phil Alexander The Creator and Owner of the "Simpole"

 

The Insider "SurfaShield" A hydrophylic Sealant

 

The Insider "Jack Attack"

 

Problems With Hydrophobic Glass

These pictures will demonstrate one of the most intense problems with hydrophobic glass.  It tends to create a severe fogging effect when the inside of the building is rather cool relative to the outside air.  This happens usually in the hot weather when the AC is cranked and it is very hot and humid outside.  This is why you should be very careful before sealing with a hydrophobic sealant.  One of the main functions of IGSA is to develop products to be marketed all around the world.  But the other purpose is to educate.  Because products are completely useless if no one understands them, and how to use them.  So unlike other manufacturers IGSA is very very much focused on education.  The logo alone should prove this.

Below you will see a series of pictures that I took one very hot and humid day with my phone.  This was at the local Dunkin Donuts that had very good air conditioning.  They are always cold inside.  No one has applied a phobic sealant to the outside of these windows.  Which are all insulating glass units.  They have a double wall of glass with a partial vacuum and nitrogen gas.

This last picture was NOT taken at this Dunkin Donuts.  It is rather a picture of some naturally ocuring (no sealant) hydrophobic glass that I have converted to hydrophylic.  You can see the center where it has been converted.  No chemicals were used.  I used an IGSA product which is a highly concentrated silica compound.  This demonstrates how effective phylic surfaces can be over phobic in improving visibility!  IGSA will have both phobic and phylic sealants.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

IGSA Logo

 

The International Glass Smart Association was started for the purpose of gathering window cleaners around the world to act in the capacity of on site consultants for other window cleaners, real estate agents, lawyers, insurance companies, general contractors, home owners, and much more.  These individuals will also help in the development of products used in the Surface Maintenance And Restoration Technology of window glass.  Including the distribution worldwide of such products.  With the goal of creating as many as possible that are in fact Green/Earth Friendly.

A bit about the logo.  The letters of course stand for the name.  They are the color of nature that being green.  This is a diagram of the bohr atom which is silicon.  The basic element of what is called the builder matrix of soda lime glass.  I chose purple for the electrons because it used to be the color of royalty in Bible times.  Which is how I view our association.  Then of course I have inserted a small Earth at the center to denote the international nature of IGSA.  The Earth however is very small denoting its size relative to the rest of the universe.  It is also placed in the center where it rests where the protons and neutrons are.  These hold the atom together just like the Earth holds all life together in one place.  

So there you have it.  IGSA is a worldwide association of professional consultants.  Created for the purpose of raising the status of the window cleaning industry to a brand new level.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

Plastic Abrasives For Sale

 This is the very next step for IGSA.  The sale of specialty products for the safe maintenance, restoration, and preservation of different glazing surfaces.  There are many plastic abrasive products out there.  Which I have been working on over the last several years.  There is one in particular that I am offering to the window cleaning industry.  It is softer than glass and most coated glass surfaces.  The angular cut is very good for digging through silicone caulk and paint.  It can be blended with different organic solvents that help by chemically softening silicone.  It is available at 15 USD and shipped by USPS.  I will be doing several videos on what I am calling P-Polish 1, or PP1.  If you want to try this out just send me your email address since I bill by PayPal right now.  Also your mailing or shipping address.

There are many different abrasive products out there.  They are based on several different types of plastic.  The shape of the particles are different too.  Some are round and quite smooth.  Some are angular and course for cutting.  The different plastics are of different harnesses too.  Some are very hard, whereas others can be rather soft.  The greatest advantage of plastic over organics such as walnut shell or corncob is that they will not absorb water and certain other fluids.  Water will soften organics making them very ineffective.  So plastic is definitely the better choice.  It is softer than glass and so is much less likely to scratch the window.

Another interesting product is what is called synthetic steel wool.  It is made from plastic fibers instead of steel or bronze fibers.  So again it is less likely to scratch!  I would classify the green, red, white, brown, and other colored pads as synthetic wool.  They are all different because of the design of the filaments, the size of the filaments, the type of plastic used, and especially whether or not the plastic filaments have been "loaded" with various mineral abrasive particles such as silica, silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and even diamond.  If these particles are too large then the pad will scratch the glass.  Further if you use a pad that has not been tested with a restoration product, and scratches result, you will have no idea what caused the scratches.  The loaded particles or the superabrasive particles in the commercial hard water spot removal product.

All this is really just a continuation of other articles in this blog.  The major difference is that I will be doing much more testing and making available special products/ingredients that you cannot get from any other source.  Since I will not be identifying such products if a manufacturer decided they would like to pickup any of these products to sell they will be able to.  Since they will be able to own what we have discovered.

To receive these posts directly in your inbox just type your address in the box at the top right, "Follow by Email".

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

 henrygroverjr@gmail.com

    

Commercial Products Verses "Home Made" Products

 The very first failing some have identified with commercial products is bias.  Everyone that has a commercial product believes they have the best.  They also usually never see any direct or potential problems with their product.  The latter can be quite dangerous for the user.  Simply because such a product can easily cause harm to the glass or health issues.  Both could result in lawsuits that could cost the company tens of thousands of dollars.  I have run into both of these issues many many times.

Another glaring inadequacy is the matter of cost.  I do remember discussing this issue with manufacturers over the years.  Most window cleaners do know about the "formula".  That is all of the expenses to bring a product to market must be added up and multiplied by a factor of 4.5 to 6 to get to the end retail price.  So a product that cost 2 dollars to bring to market would cost the customer 12.  But if you could get that product for 1.50 you would save a lot!  This is why I am always looking at material safety data sheets under ingredients.  It is also why manufacturers try very hard to cover up this information.  Water is the greatest "filler" and way of hiding the main ingredient.  If the product can be made at 99 percent water, then the main ingredient does not have to be listed by law.  It can rather be explained as a proprietary ingredient.  I have seen this many times.  Laws are being passed now to make MSDS's much more transparent.  Which does make it much more difficult for manufacturers of chemical based products.

Don't get me wrong however.  If it were not for manufacturers we wouldn't have most of the products that we do.  Never underestimate the power of greed!  So many times I have located via the MSDS the key ingredients of certain products but could not source them.  Simply because the chemical was so rare that the companies that sold it would ONLY SELL quantities that were way too large for anyone to buy.  Lets say you only needed a quart a week.  But the company "needed" to ONLY sell four 55 gallon drums at a time.  It then becomes unavailable.  That same company might sell to another that sells to smaller companies.  But such smaller amounts might still be way too much.  Also the cost in these smaller amounts might be SO extreme that it cannot compete with any other chemical or product out there.  So again it is not available.  This is a VERY large problem when trying to source specialty chemicals of even powders.  So the manufacturer steps up and purchases the greater quantity to get the price down.  Knowing they will be selling to thousands and thousands of very small companies through their very large distribution networks.  Some companies have worldwide networks.  They buy the chemical, bottle and label it, then send it out.  It is also insured.  Plus they must write up an MSDS for it to comply with OSHA law.  And more.  So YES we do need manufacturers!

This is a very complicated problem.  Added to it is the further concern that manufacturers have of other manufacturers discovering their "formula" and "stealing" it.  Such companies will come up with their own product based on this formula, cut their cost somewhat, and sell it at that reduced cost.  But only for a short time until they can bring you over to their side.  Then they will jack the price until it is way over the original number.  Tricky yes.  But it does work!

When I discover a particular product and tell everyone what that ingredient is and where we can all get it, I actually take this away from the manufacturers.  Because none of them will be able to own a product based on that ingredient.  They cannot keeep the formula secrete so they cannot own it.  They will not put out the money or spend the time on such a product.  This is something I absolutely MUST consider when I do my research in developing products.  If I start bringing you a certain product at a cost, and do not tell you what exactly it is and where I got it, just know that I am protecting it FOR YOU.  At a future time a manufacturer might pick it up and begin selling it at a reasonable price.  But if they cannot own it they will not even want to touch it!

So many angles, so many problems, and so much greed.  The bottom line is that product development and manufacturing is not simple.  It takes much hard work.  Further those who are in this business deserve what they get for their efforts.  I certainly don't work for nothing;...do you?!

Written by Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

 

Product Development and Availability

     Products are really the key to accomplishing non-routine window cleaning.  Whether that be stain removal, scratch removal, or concrete, silane, silicone, paint, or wood stain removal.  Especially if we are working with a coated surface.  They are products already available on the open commercial market that need to be explored for different applications.  So they need to be further "developed".  These products I definitely need to look at for this purpose.  I will be writing about these different applications and endorsing such products.  A case in point is Water Spot Pro by EnviroSafe.  Mike created this product for removing hard water spots from glass.  But did you know that it is also a safe product for most coated surfaces if used correctly?  It is an excellent product for converting phobic glass to phylic too.

There are other products available that are not too well known.  These need to be discovered, tested, and revealed.  Then there are others that are pure ingredients whether these be powders or chemicals.  But they are very difficult to get.  The manufacturers sell them in lots of ten 55 gallon drums at a time to sales companies that only sell one drum.  So if a window cleaner only needs a gallon how does he get it.  My plan is to find a way to make these available at a reasonable cost.  

Products need to be tested against other products to see which ones are best.  Two other considerations must be longevity and cost.

Henry Grover Jr.

henrygroverjr@gmail.com

Interview with Phil Alexander of Simpole

 Preview YouTube video Meet The Inventor of Simpole

Meet The Inventor of Simpole

This was a fantastic interview of Phil Alexander.  He is indeed one of the geniuses we have in our industry.  I am working with him now in writing the third issue of the GSI EZine.  The theme of this entire issue being creating superhydrophylic glass for Water Fed Pole Window Cleaning.

Water Fed Pole Revolution / The Next Issue of the GSI due by Sept 1st

Most people think that finding the best pole, scrubbing brush, or water purification system is going to get them to the next level.  But this is a total lie and couldn't be further from the real truth.  Talk to anyone that works with a WFP and they will tell you how much they hate and despise hydrophobic glass.  Phobic glass is what drives them to focus on the best water purification system.  It drives them to spend thousands on resins and membranes.  Some companies even use names like Zero Pure.  Claiming that they can give you a TDS of zero.  So that if there are any drops left on the glass they will not leave behind spots when they evaporate.  Of course even an extremely low TDS can have a rather high silica content.  Which will leave behind spots.  The condition is called silica spotting.

What is the ultimate answer to WFP window cleaning is the technology of making rinse water sheet off the window.  This is where we are headed.  This is the revolution.  We need to find ways to accomplish this.  Because when we do even a high TDS rinse will sheet off the glass leaving no spots.  It is actually very simple.  No drops, no spots.  I am not being imaginative here because I have done it.  No one can tell me it cannot be done.

We can do this three different ways as I have described in previous writings.  We can first break down the surface tension of water with a super wetting silicon based surfactant chemistry.  Or second we can remove all of the hydrocarbon pollutants from the glass surface revealing its true hyrophylic nature.  Or third we can treat it with a hydrophylic sealant such as an OH terminated silane or siloxane SAM.  These are the three different techniques.  Of these I am personally more in favor the second one.  I find the chemistry for accomplishing this very fascinating.  But any one will work or any combination of these three.

The August September issue of the Glass Smart Insider will be totally focused on this theme.  Here is a rundown of some of the articles.  Revealing the HO Bond.  Changing Water Chemistry.  Using RH to our benefit.  Is Zero Pure Really Needed?  What Is the Real Reason Why Windows Are Phobic or Phylic?  What Is Silica Spotting?  The Three Ways That Phylic Glass Can Be Maintained.  The Phylic Properties of Titanium Dioxide Coatings.  The Hydrophobic Properties of Acrylic and Hydrophobic Surfaces.  And more.

The first two issues of the GSI are free.  They are available right now.  Just send me your email and I will send you a link to each.  Although there is a small cost of 35 dollars for the third and all others.  With the Covid 19 I have had to draw back from my WC route.  I am in the high risk category of heart problems and only one lung.  I am in fact disabled and so really do not have much of a choice but to totally focus on my product research.  At least for right now.  So any support anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.  I am not selling products but am totally focused on both product development and technology.

Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com

Which Stain/Scratch Removal System is the Best?

Is there a best window cleaning kit on the market?  Is there a best squeegee on the market?  Is there even a squeegee that you would use for every window?  The obvious answer to these questions is no.  Further it does require skill to use any squeegee.  The same is true for the tools and commercial systems available for stain and scratch removal.  One person might actually damage a window with the same tools and system that another might do an excellent job with.  It is also possible that someone skilled in this line of work or technology could do the same quality of work with two different systems.

There are many stain/scratch removal systems on the market right now.  Some are more user friendly than others.  Some are more inexpensive than others.  Some are multi-step whereas others are just a one step.  Some use different compounds such as cerium oxide, silicon carbide, or diamond.  Some are dry except for the last step, whereas others are wet.  Some use a dry pad with a wet slurry (not a compound).  There are grinders and polishers which are rotary machines and operate at different rpms.  Then there are random orbitals, and random oscillators.  The pads can be leather, wool, synthetic wool, polyurethane, and many other different materials.  Some even use steel wool or bronze wool pads.  

I have a favorite squeegee that has an Unger handle with an Ettore Channel and a Black Diamond rubber.  Go figure.  I also run a zero degree angle.  This is my go to tool.  I might not be as fast as Alex Lacey and some others.  Never did the speed competition at the IWCA annual.  But I am very good.  Now there are restoration professionals out there that are truly amazing!  Like Marc Tanner.  I can take out scratches and remove stains.  Have used all the different compounds including diamond with great success.  But I can't come close to what Marc can do.  He is the King of Glass Restoration.  When he was beginning  years ago he started buying the commercial systems.  Spent a lot of money.  But ended up developing his own personal system.  Which he is very content with.  But is always looking for different products to add to his box.  I have talked with him a great deal about this technology and he always tells me every job is different.  Even one window can be very different from the one you just did.  For different reasons even.  So you will need to use different pads, compounds, polishers, and grinders.  These are the reasons why he developed his own system.  I do believe that anyone who wants to get into this line of work and do it right, will ultimately end up doing the same thing.  

Window glass restoration is a technology that requires a great deal of learning and training.  It doesn't come fast.  It is also loaded with dangers that absolutely must be learned.  Marc always says when you are starting out practice on your own glass.  Never practice on your customers windows.  My suggestion is to find someone who knows exactly what they are doing and pay them to train you first.  Before you put out any money for tools.  If you can too, find someone that has developed their own system.  My belief is that there really are no systems out there that are complete and free from glitches.

So after all that I have written I will answer the question which is the title of this post.  No!  There is no "best stain/scratch removal system" out there.  And you will waste a lot of time and money trying to find it.  What you will likely end up doing is taking from several different systems and companies to put together your own personal system.  If I can help you along the way just send me an email.

Henry Grover Jr.
henrygroverjr@gmail.com

  

   

The Glass Smart Insider

The GSI is an online magazine or ezine that will be published once every two months starting with April/May 2020.  The focus of this publication is the surface maintenance and restoration technology of various glazing surfaces.  This includes the fenestration envelopes of commercial and residential buildings.  It also includes vehicular glazing as well.  This technology involves specific commercial and other products.  Which will be discussed in the articles.  All articles will be written by the professionals who have either developed and are selling said products.  Or the technicians/business owners who are using them.  I will be assisting in the writing and at times will be a coauthor.  But you are going to hear from some people in this publication that you have never met online before.  These people are true innovators and will be able to help you a great deal in your business.  They will help you with new techniques that are so badly needed in non-conventional window cleaning, glass restoration, and preservation/sealant application.  Plus much more.

There is an opportunity to advertise here too.  Both for the product manufacturers and sales companies.  Also all individual window cleaning and detail companies.  If you would like to know more about this please just send an email to henrygroverjr@gmail.com  If you would like to subscribe to the GSI which is free but only available by email please contact me by the same email included above.

Written by Henry Grover Jr.